"Homecoming is the most talked about event and most exciting time of the year for a high school student," according to Alonso senior and Student Government Association president Sarah Eggnatz.

For some schools, it's just a football game where alumni come back to remember old traditions. For Alonso students, it's a week of coming together in the name of school pride.

The excitement could be felt at the Friday night game, as the girls were helped into their convertibles by their escorts while their families cheered loudly. The feeling carried over into the next afternoon, as the sun set and several young couples smiled for those same camera-toting parents before their homecoming dance.

As the music made the floor vibrate and the colors glowed in the dimly lit room, dozens and dozens of smiles could be seen clearly throughout the room. It was easy to see the hours of preparation a girl had put into her hair or the months of preparation the student government had put into planning the dance.

"You get to get together with your friends, dress up and have a great night dancing with people you know and people you've never met," said Eggnatz. "You only get this chance four times, once a year, and it will never happen, so it's good to make the most of it and have fun."